Gear-shifting mechanism.



E. PLANCI'IE. GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM.

1 I APPLICATION FILED JULY 23. I9". Patenmd Dw 26' Q g 4 MEETS-SHEET I.

IIIlIll EIIIIII:

wi vncmn 615a: W

E. PLANCHE.

GEAR SHIFTINGVMECHANISM. Armcmon mm mu 2:. 1914.

1,209,754. I Patented Dec. 26,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHIN 4.

llllllllllllllllll il" ll lllllllllllll ETIENNE PLAN CHE, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN.

GEAR-SHIFTING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1916.

Application flied July 28, 1914. Serial No. 852,562.

'12) all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, ETIENNE lnanonn, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Flint, in the county of Gen'esee and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gear-Shifting Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification. reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to means for shifting the gears of a change speed power transmitting mechanism and more particularly to selective mechanism whereby any desired gear change is effected by the operation of a. lever for actuating the clutch connecting the motor and said change speed mechanism of a motor vehicle power plant.

An object of the invention is to provide a construction whereby when the gears are in position to transmit a certain speed, they may be shifted to give any desired spee and in making the change all of the gears will be moved to neutral or inoperative position before assuming their new relation.

A further object is to provide sim le and efficient selective mechanism ada ted to be excreted or set by means whic may be placed in any convenient position, and to provide a compact and convenient arrangement whereby the same is adapted to be secured to the usual form of transmission easing. I

It is also an object of the invention to provide certain other new and useful features in the construction and arran cment of arts all as hereinafter more ful y describe an pointed out in the appended claims, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is a side eleration of mechanism embodying the invention, showing the same in operative position relative to the several adjacent parts of a motor vehicle; Fi 2 is a plan view of selective mechanism em odying the invention and showing the casing thereof in section; Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same upon the line 111-411 of Fig. 2: Fig. 4- is a transverse section of the same substantially upon the line IV-IV of F ig. 2: Fig. 5 is a sectional detail showing second and third s eed tumblers and their cam disks in side e ovation and illustrating diagrammatically the chan e speed gearing in second speed position; *i 6 is a similar P detail showing the parts s ifted to third speed position; Fig. 7 is a similar detail snowing the first speed and reverse tumblers and their cam disks in elevation and the change speed gearing in first speed position; Fig. 8 is a like detail illustrating the parts shifted to reverse position; Fig. 9 is a detail of a selective lever showing the same attached to a steering column; and Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of the several cam disks showing the relative positions of their cum projections.

As shown in Fig. 1, A indicates the fly wheel of a motor and B the casing of a change speed power transmitting 1ncchanism arranged in the usual manner directly to the rear of the fly wheel and receiving motion from the engine and fly wheel through the power shaft and clutch D arranged to engage the fly wheeland connect or disconnect the motor and transmission mechanism. The clutch D is moved out of frictional contact with the fly wheel against the action of a spring E sleeved upon the shaft G, by means of a foot lever F pivotally supported on a transverse shaft G which has an operating arm H to shift the clutch in the usual manner.

1 indicates the floor board of the vehicle body which forms a support for a steering column J and clamped or otherwise secured to this steering column in a position to be readily operated by the driver, is a control lever l plvotally attached to swing over a sector 2 having markings thereon to indi cate the several speed changes of the change speed gearing. Connected to the operating lever 1 is a flexible shaft 3 extending downward through the floor board and detaehably secured to the outer end of a shaft 4 mounted in suitable bearings in a cap which forms a cover for the transmission casing B.

Secured upon the shaft 4 within the cover or casing 5 is a series of four cam disks (3, 7, 8 and 9' hereinafter designated as selectors, arranged in pairs, the disks of each pair being separated by suitable spacers and the'pairs of disks being arranged at opposite sides of a suitable segmental "car 11 which is also secured upon the shaft to turn therewith. Extending parallel with the shaft 4 is a like shaft 12 having mounted thereon and secured thereto to turn therewith a like number of corresponding cam disks -13, 14, 15 and 16 hereinafter called neutrhliiers, similarly arranged with an interposed gear segment 17 in mesh with the segment 11 so that when the shaft 4 is turned by means of the control lever 1, the shaft 12 will be turned a like distance in an op osite direction.

n the rear part-'of-the' casing 'ismou'nted a shaft 18 and on this shaft are two rocker arms 19 and 20 pivotally supported by the shaft intermediate their ends and each having a head 2-1 on its extended end to engage yokcs 2'2 fixed upon longitudinally movable shafts 23 and 24 extending lon itudinall of the casingand arranged in parallelism. T iese shafts 23 and 24 carry arms 25 and 26 each having-two forked ends for engaging the grooved hubs of the several sliding gears of the change speed mechanism, to Shift said gears in the usual manner in changing their relation to change the speed.

As illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, a driven shaft K is arranged in the casing B in longitudinal alinement with the power shaft 0 and a counter shaft L is su ported in the casing parallel to the shaftv C. Motion is transmitted from the shaftC. to the counter shaft L by means of gears M vand a clutch member N slidable on the shaft K is adapted to engage the hub of the gear M and lock the shaft C to the shaft K so that motion will be transmitted to said driven shaft at third or high speed direct from the power shaft. A gear O on the shaft K is adapted to engage a pinion O on the counter shaft and thus transmit motion to the driven shaft at first or low speed. Ajgear P slidable upon the shaft K 1s adapte to engage a pinion P on the counter shaft to give intermediate or second speed, the gear P and clutch member N being both shifted by means of the arm 25 which has two forked ends to engage sa idgear and clutch member. A gear Q, on the shaft K is adapted to be moved into engagement with an intermediate gear Q and thus give reversal of motion. The gear Q and the gear 0 are engaged by the forked ends of the arm 26 to be simultaneously shifted when the shaft 24 is moved.

Pivotally attached to each of the rocker bars 19 and 20 are two tumbler bars corres onding to the pairs of cam disks on the s iaft 4, a tumbler bar 27 engaging at one edge the edge of the disk 6 and like tumbler bars .28, 20 and 80 engaging the edges of the disks 7, 8 and 9 respectively. The rear end of the tumbler bar 27 is bent upwardly and pivotally connected to the up er end of the rocker bar 19 and the rear on of the bar 28 is bent downwardly and pivotally connected to the bar 19 at an equal distance below the pivot of said bar.

In a like manner the tumbler-bar 30 .is

pivotally connected to the upper epd of the arm 20 and the bar 20 is pivotally connected to said bar at a like distance from its pivot at the other side thereof. All of these mrs are yieldingly held in contact with the edges of the cam disks by means of s rings 31' attached to their forward ends an of said tumbler bars is formed with a shoulder 32 on its edge opposite that engaged with the cam disks, to be engaged by spring dogs 33 pivotally attached to the inner end of a longitudinally movable shifter 34 winch is mounted in a suitable guide hearing 111 one. side of the casing and has a pm each 35 extending laterally therefrom through a slot in the casing, said pin being connected by a link 36 with the clutch pedal F so that when said pedal is actuated the shifter 31 will. be moved in the casing.

The selector disks 6, 7, 8 and 9 are provided with cam projections 37, 38, 3t), 40, respectively (see Fig. 10) and these cam projections on the several disks are so arranged, relatively, that only one of them will en age one of the tumbler bars at a time. fihe function of these cam projections is to move the tumbler bars against the action of the springs 31, into the path of the dogs 33. The neutralizer disks 13, 14, 15 and 16 on the shaft 12 are also each provided with a plurality of cum projections having a certain arrangement relative to the cam rojection on its corresponding selector (isk and said projections are adapted to engage and lift the particular tum )ler bar which happens to he at the rear end of its stroke when said ncutralizers are turned by a re-setting of the selectors, said tumblers being each provided with a projecting edge portion 41 to be engaged y said cam pro ections. For convenience of illustration, in Fig. 10 the several speed positions indicated upon the segment 2 for the lever 1, are indicated in a like manner upon the several disks, the selector disks (i, T 8 and 9 being provided with cam progcctions in '2 speed, 3 speed 1 and R speed positions respectively. Each of the neutralizer disks is provided with a cam projection 42 in N or neutral position and disks 13,14 and 16 with a projection 43 in R or' reverse position. I 13. 15 and 16 each have a projection 44: in 2 or second speed position and disks 14. 15 and 16 with a projection 45 in 3 or third speed position.

To yieldingly hold the shifting rods 23 3 and .24 in the several )OSltlOllS to which they are adapted to be shifted to give the desired speed change, each rod is formed with concavities 46 adapted to be engaged hv spring actuated stop pins 47.

In operatlon, the driver first turns the control lever to the position on the sector 2 indicating the speed desired. The turning of this lever rotates the shaft 4 through the medium of the flexible shaft 8 and sets the Disks seleotors'sothat the disk having. the cam projection which is positioned as indicated in: Fig. .10. to eorrosponthwitlrthe position in which the'lever is set is-bmu ht.-into contact with the opposed tumblermar and. raises the same-against.the action .of its springinto thepath of: one oftho dogs-carried by. the aotuating rod 34-. The clutch D3 beingin engagemeut the foot. pedal will have been thrown upwardly as! shown int Fig 1 and the aatnatingrod will be atw-the inmost: end of its stroke. 'lho'operatorxby. then depressing the pedal l first throws out. the-clutch and a furthen movement of the pedal. brings the dog 33 iutolengagement with the tumbler bar which has beenmoved by the selector. Continued. movement of the pedal carries the tumber. bar forward, the same riding upon the cam projection of the-selector disk and this fonward movement of the tumbler bar turns the-rock arm to whichdtisattaohed and aotuates-one oft the-shifting rods-carrying the forked amnwhiohis iniengagement with the particular change-speed-gean which it is desired to move. Whenthe lever 1 has been thus set and;thcsparts actuatedas-shown in Figs. 7, 9 andlO, the gears-wilbhave been shifted to first speed POSltElOIL Uponthe described forward movement of the-tumbler bar. 29, the tumbler ovill be moved simultaneously tothe rear or inward: end'of its stroke by reason of itspivotalconnection with the upper end of the rocker-ban '20 with the parts iILPOSitiOHIShOVII in Fig. 7. Should the operator desire to shift the gears into anyone of. their other positions,-.ib will be necessary. for him to set his selector so that the particular tumbler barrorresponding to the speed: which hedesires,.wil1 be moved into the path of one ofl thedogs on the actuuting rod. A throwing" in of theclutch will thennnove the actuating'rod inward, the dog sliding over the ahouldouot the bar which has beam moved into its patlu and then the-first movement of thmfoot pedalzin disengaging the clutch will: being the: dog into engagement witlr tho' moved tumbler bar and said'bar will be-oarniedi fonwat d as before. It is necessaryhowevmgwvhen the gears are in any partlcular' speedl position, as for instance in first speedae indicated in Fig. 7, that these. gears be' moved tomeutral position before anygearsgiviing: another change of speed are-broughtinto mesh. To effect this shifting: to neutral position automatioally, a series of neutral disksare secured npmrtheshaft 12' there being'oneof these disks opposite each one of; the selector disks. As shown in Figs. 7 and 10, there is a neutralizin disk 16 opposite the-edge of the-tumbler liar 30 which was movedrearwardly when tho-first speed tnmbler'liar 29 wumcarried forward toell'ect tho'first 5 sad shift; "l hbrneutralizing dislo lllimprov dad w-itlucam projtastionslz, 43, 9141 and-toiinitho several positions to which the oorres-pomlin c selector disk may be turned to set these disks fon giving: any one of the other -spec l changes. 'lhe-shafts4. and 1:2. being connected by the gear. segments-toturnin opposite direotions, when the shaft 4. is turned from tllOnPOSil/lflll' inwhioh it is shown in Ilig. 7 to re-set the selectors for the change of speeddesired, the neutralizing disks will be Mmnltaneously turned and one of the four cam projections upon the disk 16 will be brou ht into contact with the edge of the tomb en 30. This will more this tumbler into-the path ofthe actuating do and the reesetting; of the selectors will. simultaneously move the cam projections 3%) on the seleeton disk 8 from engagement with the tumbler 29. permitting itsspring to-movc said tumbler outof the path of the actuating dog; The tumblers are now reset so that the:

throwing out and in of the clutch by means of the foot: pedal: wlltgive the desired speed change, and sn'miltaueously move the first speed andreversegears controlled by the tumblers 29 and 30 into neutral position. Thisneutral shift is accomplished by the shifting dog; coming; into engagement with theban 30 whichas (lBSOlJbQCl has been movedlinto its path by means-ofl a cam projection on.the disk 10. The tumbler 30 will. thus be carried fouward by the forward movement of the actuating dog until the projecting: edge portion 41 ofsaid bar drops off from; the cam projection on the disk- 16.

This edige portion ofthe bar is of'such a 1 length at when it. dropsoff from the cam projectiomth'e rocker. '20 will be in mid position: and the. gears shifted thereby will be out of mesh or in. neutral position. The

droppingof thetumbler 30 off from the cam: 195

[)I'OJQOhiOIldisengages the tumbler from the aotnatingdo rand thus the gears are left in their ueutru position. The continued forward movement of the actuating rod l-llinings one of its dogs into engagement with the paatiuular tumbler which was moved into-its mth when the selectors were reset.

It will be noted that the selector disks are not provided with cam projections in their neutnab position,. but all of the neutral disks are provided' with cam rojeotions at their neutral points; therefore when the. selectors are set to neutral, the neutralizerasure-each turned to bring their cam projectrions. 425 into operative position and any tumbler which'is at the rear end of its stroke will he moved into the path of its actuating, dog. The-actuation of the foot pedal'thercafter will thus shift gears controlled bv this tumbler into neutral position. as )rovionsly described, and as none of the tumlilers were moved into the path of the actuating: dog's bythe tanning o the selectors to neutral posttiom all of the gears will be left in neuteal. It will thus be seen that the gears may be shifted from any one of their positions into any other position at the will of the operator and the gears which were in mesh will automaticall be moved into-neutral in makin the shi t. Reliability in the operation is tierefore assured and the construction is such as to make the operation positive and accurate, and simplicity'is secured making the device chea to manufacture and obviating the liability of its getting out.of order.

" Obviously other forms of change speed mechanism may be used and numerous changes in the construction and arrangement of the mechanism may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. I therefore do not limit myself to the particular form or arrangement shown.

l-lariiu thus fully described my invention what 1 c aim is 1. The combination with power transmitting mechanism including a. plurality of speed changing elements, of an actuating member, a series of members each operatively connected toone of said elements a series of selector members, and means or simultaneously actuating said selector members to bring one of the-series in operative position relative to one of said members and effect an operative connection between said member and said actuatin member.

2. The combination witi power transmitting mechanism including a plurality of shiftable speed changing elements, of a plurality of members corres onding in number to the number of said e ements and operatirely connected thereto to shift the same, means connecting said members to cause adjacent members to move in opposite directions, an o ierating member, and means for mechanically operating said members to operatively connect said members and said actuatin member.

3. he combination with power transmitting mechanism including speed changing elements shift-able into operative position in opposite directions, of shifting members for shifting each of said elements, which members are sunultaneously movable in opposite directions, an actuating member, selective means for moving said shifting members to effect an operative connection between the same and said actuating member, and means actuated simultaneously with the actuation of the selective means for moving certain of said shifting members.

4. The combination with power transmitting mechanism including a plurality of shiftable change speed elements, a shifter,

means for actuating the shifter, a tumbler operatively connected to each of the change speed elements to shift the same, selector members for moving the tumblersinto' operative position to be actuated by the shifter,

and means for actuating the selector members.

5. The combination with power transmit ting mechanism including a plurality of shiftable change speed gears, of a shifting member, a plurality of tumblers operatively connected with the gears to shift the same, means on the shifter for engaging the tumblers, and means for selectively moving the tumblers into the path of the means on the shifter to cause the tumblers to be moved by a movement of the shifter. .z 6. The combination with power transmittin mechanism including a plurality of shittable change speed gears, of a shifter, a pluralit of tmnblers adapted to be engaged MK moved by the shifter, a series of selector members for engaging the tumblers and moving the same into the path of the shifter, and a series of members actuated simultaneously with the actuation of the selectors for moving certain of the tumblers into the path of the shifter.

7 The combination with power transmittin" mechanism including a plurality of shiftable change speed gears 1K apted to be shifted into operative position in opposite directions, a tumbler for each of said gears operatively connected thereto to shift the same, means connecting said tumblers to simultaneously move the same in opposite directions, a shifter, a selector for moving the tumblers into the path of the shifter to effect the change of speed, and a neutralizing member operated simultaneously with the operation of the selector to move certain of the tumblers into the path of the shifter to be engaged thereby when the shifter is actuated to engage the other tumblers and effect the change of speed.

8. The combination with power transmitting mecl1anisni,including a plurality of shi table change speed gears, of a series of longitudinally movable members arranged in pairs, rocker members connecting the members of each pair to cause the same to move simultaneously in opposite directions, said rocker members being operatively connected to said gears to shift the same, a shifter for movin the longitudinally movable members, se ective means for moving the longitudinally movable members into the path of the-shifter, and separate means for moving the members which have been moved longitudinally to ellect an operative lilo and relatively set to engage their tumblers at different tunes, means rotatable simul taneously with the selectors and having projections to engage the tumblers and move the same, and means for turning the selectors.

10. The combination with change speed power transmitting mechanism including shiftable gears, a series of tumblers corresponding in number to the number of said gears, a shifter, menus for actuating the shifter. (logs carried by the shifter to engage and actuate the tumblers, a selector member for each tumbler to move the tumblers into the path of the dogs, said tumblers being adapted to move out of the path of the dogs when the selectors are reset, and separate means for moving the tumblers into the nth of the dogs to cause the gears to be shi ted into inoperative position when the shifter is again moved.

11. The combination with power transmitting mechanism including a plurality of speed changing elements, of a shifting. member for each of said elements, an operating member, selective means for effecting an operative connection between any one 0 said shifting members and said operating member to move a speed changing element to o erative position, and means operated simultaneously with said selective means for etl'ecting-an o erative connection between another of sai shiftin members and said operating member to shift another of said speed changing elements to inoperative position.

12. The combination with power transmitting mechanism including a plurality of speed changing elements, of an actuating member for each of said elements, means for effecting an operative connection between any one of-said speed changing elements and its actuating member to we a change of s eed, and'meaus actuate relatively to an simultaneously with said selective means for effecting an operative connection between another of said speed changing elements and its actuating members to move said other speed changing element to inoperative position.

13. The combination with change speed power transmitting mechanism including a plurality of speed changing elements, of a shifter, a plurality of operating members opcratively connected to said speed chang ing elements to operate the same to change the speed. a selector member for each of said operating members adapted to move the same into the path of the shifter to be actuated thereby, said selector members being connected to move together and relatively positioned to operate said members at different times, means for moving each operating member out of the path of the shifter independently of the other operator memselective hers, and a rotatable member for each operating member having a plurality of projections to engage and move said operating members into the path of the shifter.

14. The combination with power transmitting mechanism including a plurality of shiftable gears, of members for shifting the gears, a shifter, tumblers operatively connected to said members, a pair of rotatable members having projecting ortions to engage and move each tumbler into the path of said shifter, means for turning the members of each pair simultaneously in opposite directions, and means for yieldingly holdin said tumblers in position to be engaged 1y said rotatable members.

15. The combination with power transmitting mechanism including a plurality of shil'tablr gears. of a longitudinally movable shifter. a plurality of longitudinally movable tumblers adapted to be moved laterally i into the path of said shifter to be actuated thereby. said tumblers being operatively connected with said gears to shift the same, parallel shafts, a series of members secured to each shaft to turn therewith, each member being formed with a projection to engage the tumbler adjacent thereto and said tumblers being formed to permit the same to move toward the series of said members out of the path of said shifter, means for causing the shafts to turn together, and manually operable means for turning one of the shafts.

16. The combination with powertransmit- 13c ting mechanism including shiftable gears, of a gear shifting member movable longitudinally. a rocker bar for moving said member. tumblers pivotally attached at one end to said rocker, a shifter, a series of disks engaged by said tumblers and having projections relatively positioned to engage and more the tumblers into the path of the shifter at different times. means for yieldiugly holding the tumblers in engagement 1.0 with the disks. and means for turning the disks.

17. In a gear shifter. the combination of longitudinally movable members adapted to shift gears. a shifter. a series of tumblers corresponding in number to the number of speed changes to be effected. a series of selector members corresponding in number to the number of tumblers and each having a projection adapted to engage the opposed 12o tumbler and move the same into the path of the shifter. said selectors being secured togather with the projections relatively positioned to engage the tumblers successively, means for turning the selectors, means for yieldingly holding the tumblers out of the path of the shifter, and means connecting the tumblers and the longitudinally movable members for shifting the gears.

18. In a gear shifter, the combination of 1 C a casing, members projecting from the easing to engage and shift gears, rocker bars in the casing to actuate saidmembers and shift the gears, tumblers connected to the rocker bars, a shifter-longitudinally movable in the casin a series of selectors to engage said tumblers and having projections relativelypositioned,- a series of neutralizers to engage-"the tumblers each having a plurality-ofiprojections, means for causing said selectors and neutral-izers to turn simultaneously; and manually operable means for actuating'one series.

19. In a gear shifter, the combination of a casing, a pair of shafts mounted in said casing, a series of disks on'each shaft having projections, segments on the shafts to cause said shafts and lisks to turn'simultaneously in opposite directions, said disks being arranged'in pairs upon each shaft, a pair of tumblers in enagement with each pair of'disks, a rocker Ear for each pair of tumblers to which said tumblers are ivotally attached at one end, a shifter adJacent to the tumbler-sat the side thereof opposite that engaged by the disks, and longitudinally movable-members in the casing engaged and actuated by said rocker bars.

20. The combination with power transmitting mechanism including gears shiftable longitudinally in opposite directions to" change the speed. of a pair of fork mem hers-for shifting saidgears, a pair of rocker bars for actuating said fork members ivotcd intermediate their ends, a pair of on itudinally movable tumbler bars pivota y attached at-oneend to each rocker, one tumbier ofeach pair bein attached to its rocker at one side ofthe Not of the rocker and the other tumbler o thepair being attached to the tumbler-at the'op osite side of said pivot to cause said 'tum lers to move in opposite directions when the rocker is rocked, a shiftecmovable longitudinally of said tumblers, dogs carried by said shifter Copies of this patent may e obtained for to engage the tumblers, a series of selectors to'engage the opposite side of the tumblers and move the same into the path of the dogs, sprin s for normally holding the tumblers out o the path of the dogs, and means for manually actuating the selectors.

21. The combination with power transmitting mechanism including a casing and shiftable speed changing elements in said casing, of a cover-casing, rods slidable in said cover-casing and provided with arms to engage and shift the speed changing elements, rocker bars pivoted intermediate their ends in the cover casing and adapted to move the slidable rods, tumbler bars arranged in pairs with one end of the bars ofeach. pair pivotally connected to one of the rocker bars, one of said tumblers, of each pair being connected to its rocker at one side of the rocker pivot and the other tumbler at the other sidezof said pivot to move in opposite directions upon movement of therocker bar, a shifter at one side of said tumblersmov able longitudinally thereof, dogs on said shifter to engage tie tumblers, aseries of selector disks having projections toengage the tumblers at the opposite side, a series of neutralizing disks arranged in the plane of the other disks and provided with-projections to engage the tumblers,-shafts towvhich the series of disks are." secured. to turn therewith, gears on said shafts in mesh to cause the shafts toturn simultaneously in opposite directions, springs engaging the tumblers toiyieldingly hold the same in contact with the disks, and means for turning one of the shafts to set the disks.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence oftwo witnesses.

- ETIENNE ILANCHE. Witnesses:

- Kean H. Bn'rmm, G: E. MCGRANN.

Moments cub, by lddreuing-the "Commissioner 0! Patents. wuhingtomn 0." 

